Telford Entrepreneur’s Remarkable Journey: From Optician to Award-Winning Business Leader

In an inspiring start to 2025, Telford businesswoman Jeevan Punj has been recognized as one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs through Small Business Britain’s prestigious ‘f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100’ campaign. The owner of Elite Hampers, which she founded in 2021, has joined an elite group of 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country who are being celebrated for their exceptional achievements in business leadership.

Punj’s journey is particularly remarkable as she successfully transitioned from a career in optometry to establish Elite Hampers, a corporate gifting business that has quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to business appreciation. The company specializes in creating bespoke gift hampers for delegates, staff, clients, and new business prospects, reflecting Punj’s vision of recognizing and appreciating those who contribute to business success.

“This is an amazing start to 2025!” exclaimed Punj, expressing her gratitude for the recognition. “When I first launched Elite Hampers, while working as an optician, I never imagined I would receive such recognition. I am deeply grateful and excited to start my f:Entrepreneur journey”.

The f:Entrepreneur ‘#IAlso100’ campaign, launched in 2017 by Small Business Britain, showcases trailblazing female founders who not only lead purpose-driven businesses but also maintain various other responsibilities, including volunteering, mentoring, and community support. The initiative aims to highlight the significant impact of female business owners across the UK while providing inspiration and role models for the broader small business community.

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting female entrepreneurs: “It’s wonderful to have Jeevan from Elite Hampers feature in this year’s #IAlso100. All of the female entrepreneurs in this year’s line-up are simply phenomenal. It is vital that we recognize the impressive contribution of the UK’s female business owners and do all we can to support and encourage them throughout their entrepreneurial journey, from start-up to scale-up”.

The recognition comes at a time when female entrepreneurship in the UK is experiencing significant growth. Recent statistics indicate a substantial increase in female-founded companies and women in leadership positions across various sectors. This trend represents a positive shift in business leadership diversity and demonstrates the increasing impact of women entrepreneurs on the UK economy.

Punj’s success story is particularly noteworthy as she has also taken on additional leadership roles, serving as the regional lead for the Federation of Small Businesses in Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. Her commitment to business excellence has previously earned her recognition from former Dragon’s Den stars, highlighting her growing influence in the business community.

The campaign offers participants access to various events, training, and networking opportunities designed to enhance skills, capabilities, and confidence. This comprehensive support system aims to foster continued growth and success among female entrepreneurs, creating a stronger, more diverse business landscape across the United Kingdom.